Council renews drought emergency declaration

The Willits City Council approved its third drought emergency declaration this winter. The emergency declaration keeps the city eligible for emergency state and federal aid; allows it to bypass certain contracting requirements and to set aside certain environmental regulations for the duration of the emergency.

The declaration states, "conditions of imminent disaster and extreme peril to the safety of persons and property have continued within the City of Willits due to prolonged conditions of drought and insufficient water supply to maintain necessary water to provide for adequate fire suppression in the event of an ongoing and extended fire season."

All emergency declarations sunset after 28 days; requiring the agency to issue a new one to remain on an emergency footing. The city's first emergency declaration was passed on Jan. 8. It was subsequently renewed on Feb. 6 and on Feb. 28.

The resolution acknowledges the city's reservoirs are at or near capacity. It also states the total rainfall remains at "approximately 50 percent of normal, and recent rains have not realistically been able to turn the table on our current drought situation."

It also states current conditions are "setting our community up for a long, dry summer." Current fire conditions have fuel moistures are "unseasonal" and the "northern half of California is expected to experience significant fire activity as early as May 2014."

The declaration continues "we expect to lose our surface water early in the fire season because of the continuing drought conditions, it is prudent and necessary to maintain a level of restriction for water use, mandate water conservation, provide a maximum ceiling for water use by commercial and private residents until such time our community can be assured of a safe uninterruptible water supply."